Consumer Stories

B2B Stories

Good Deeds: Guest Column on Hurricane Helene

It’s All Heart (my friends) Eric Parker, Make Startups Founder One year ago this week, our city and our team were devastated by Hurricane Helene. Most of us had damaged homes, and the roads in and out of our neighborhoods and across the city were blocked by downed trees and power lines. We went weeks without power, and with limited access to food, gas, and other basic supplies. Every family learned how to use chainsaws, and communities banded together to help each other clean up, and most of all, actually

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Consumer Stories

Good Deeds: Supporting an Important Cause

Area businesses have the opportunity to support a small, nonprofit organization that is marking its 10th anniversary. Day One Fitness plans to celebrate in style with a gala on Nov. 15th at First Baptist Church of Augusta on Walton Way. In advance of the event, businesses can sign on as sponsors to help underwrite the gala. “Businesses can really support us by purchasing a table or a sponsorship. We have some other sponsorships that are a little bit higher, that have a little bit more perks to them, that also

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B2B Stories

And Now for Some Good News!

The future is bright after all for the Augusta area workforce and young men specifically. My column last week on the struggles of young men in America was probably as saddening for many of you as it was for me. I have always seen this country as a land of great opportunity, and the plight of young men chronicled last week put some doubt in my mind for the first time.  However, I am fortunate to teach in Augusta University’s (AU) Hull College of Business (HCoB), so as I interact

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Consumer Stories

CSRA business provides one of the few Ryder Cup bright spots

In the 45th edition of the Ryder Cup, unlike the Masters, it was not a tradition like no other. The American team lost to the European golfers. Insults were hurled loudly from the crowd at Bethpage Black in New York, mostly towards Rory McIlroy, the winner of this year’s Masters. Augusta’s own Club Car played a pivotal role as the Worldwide Supplier of The Ryder Cup with a fleet of nearly 500 vehicles powering the teams and operations for the tournament. It was uplifting during a tournament that some fans

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B2B Stories

Progress on $184 million business development

A building that will house 350 new jobs is taking shape in the Augusta Corporate Park off Mike Padgett Highway. GF Casting Solutions will produce lightweight components made from aluminum, iron, and other metals for the mobility and energy industries. Situated across Valencia Way from Aurubis Richmond, LLC, GF Casting will be the third major employer to open in the park, along with Starbucks. The 1,800-acre park in South Augusta is essentially full, with one more site being prepared for future use. “The site at the end (of Valencia Way),

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B2B Stories

Rocking a $25,000 grant

Aiken Technical College has been selected for the third year in a row for the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). The $25,000 grant provides scholarships and student support for those enrolled in the college’s cybersecurity, computer technology, and CompTIA programs. Since 2023, Aiken Tech has been able to impact more than 200 students thanks to funding from MSI. “Thanks to the generous support and dynamic partnership of MSI, we successfully launched our inaugural Cyber Power Camp this summer, that provided middle and high school students with hands-on experience and insight

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Finally, some good news on the employment front

After three consecutive months of job losses, employment rose by 800 in August from July. July’s number was revised upwards by 1,100, although it was still lower than June. Professional and Business services saw the largest increase in employment in August, at over 550. Manufacturing also saw a small increase, and manufacturing employment is the highest since November 2024 at 24,085. The government sector saw large employment losses in August across all three levels of government. Federal employment fell by 200 and has fallen by 500, or 6%, since February,

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Consumer Stories

A boost for the CSRA workforce pipeline

The University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) has signed an agreement with one of the region’s largest employers to support workforce development. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USCA and Savannah River Nuclear Solutions addresses the specific needs in the Information Technology (IT) and cybersecurity sectors. “SRNS is working to strengthen Computer Science opportunities for students in the CSRA. Providing internships and collaborative experiences helps facilitate opportunity and bolsters our workforce through youthful vision and talent,” said Dr. Sean Alford, SRNS Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer in the

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Awards/Celebrations

National award for workplace innovation

Savannah River Mission Completion’s (SRMC) small business program manager has been honored with national recognition for excellence in supply chain management. Ashley Hannah was named a Workplace Innovator as part of the 2025 Women in Supply Chain awards. The Women in Supply Chain award honors female supply chain leaders and executives whose accomplishments, mentorship, and examples set a foundation for women at all levels of a company’s supply chain network. As Small Business Program Manager, Hannah is responsible for strategic planning and direction of the small business program and developing a diverse, qualified supplier

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B2B Stories

Augusta Regional targets Midwest for new flight

Augusta Regional Airport leaders remain focused on bringing a third carrier to the Garden City and with that, service to the Windy City. Members of the Airline Service Committee of the Aviation Commission were updated by Airport Executive Director Herbert Judon, Jr. A highlight of his presentation was a plan to seek a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). The Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) is designed to help smaller communities address air service and airfare issues. He said this is the same grant the airport

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